Melissa now a tropical storm in north Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) – Tropical Storm Melissa is racing over the north Atlantic and poses no land threat.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds Wednesday afternoon are near 50 mph (85 kph) with little change in strength expected during the next day. But the storm is expected to begin losing tropical characteristics after that.

Melissa is centered about 980 miles (1,575 kilometers) west of the Azores and is moving east-northeast near 30 mph (48 kph).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

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